Why is diet important if I have prostate cancer?

Eating a healthy diet and keeping a healthy weight is an important part of staying healthy. Your risk of prostate cancer might be higher if you:

• Have excess body weight or obesity

• Eat a diet high in animal fats and red meat

• Eat a diet low in vegetables

A healthy diet is a part of caring for yourself if you have prostate cancer or were treated for it. It is good for your overall health and can help you keep a healthy weight. If you already have prostate cancer, eating a healthy diet might help slow down the disease.

What should I eat and drink if I have prostate cancer?

Experts are studying how diet can affect prostate cancer. There is no specific diet that is proven to be the best. But some studies suggest eating certain foods might help. These foods can also be part of a healthy diet in general.

Foods and drinks that might help include:

• Foods that are high in antioxidants – "Antioxidants" are substances naturally found in food, especially in fruits and vegetables. They help protect the body's cells from damage. Foods that are high in antioxidants are also high in vitamins. They are often brightly colored.

  Examples of foods that are high in antioxidants include:

  • Berries, grapes, cherries, pomegranates, and citrus fruits

  • Broccoli and cauliflower

  • Leafy greens like spinach, cabbage, kale, and bok choy

  • Mushrooms

  • Avocados

• Foods that are high in lycopene – "Lycopene" is a specific kind of antioxidant. It is found in red and pink foods, especially tomatoes. Cooking tomatoes can make it easier for the body to absorb the lycopene.

  Examples of foods that are high in lycopene include:

  • Tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste

  • Carrots

  • Red bell peppers

  • Watermelon

  • Pink grapefruit

• Plant-based proteins – These are good sources of fiber. This is an important part of a healthy diet, especially when you have prostate cancer.

  Examples of plant-based proteins include:

  • Foods high in soy like tofu, soy milk, and edamame

  • Beans and legumes like black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas

  • Nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds

  • Nut butters like peanut butter and almond butter

• Foods that are low fat or have healthy fats – There are different types of fats. Some are better for the body than others. Healthy fats are "monounsaturated" or "polyunsaturated" fats.

  Examples of low-fat and healthy-fat foods include:

  • Fatty fish, salmon, and sardines

  • Avocados

  • Plant-based oils like olive, canola, safflower, sunflower, and corn oil

  • Low-fat cheese, milk, and milk products

• Whole grains – These are a good source of fiber, can help with weight control, and lower your chances of some other health problems.

  Examples of whole grains include:

  • 100 percent whole-wheat bread

  • Steel-cut oats

  • Whole-grain pasta

  • Brown rice

  • Grains like quinoa and barley

• Coffee, green tea, and water – Coffee and green tea are rich in antioxidants. Drinking water is good for overall health.

Which foods and drinks should I avoid if I have prostate cancer?

To eat a healthy diet, there are some things you should avoid or limit. They include:

• Red and processed meats – Studies have shown eating a lot of red meat can increase your risk of certain health problems, including cancer. Limit red meat and processed meats like sausage, hot dogs, and bacon.

• Unhealthy fats – "Trans" fats are especially unhealthy. They are found in margarines, many fast foods, and some store-bought baked goods. "Saturated" fats are found in animal products like meats, egg yolks, butter, cheese, and full-fat milk products. Unhealthy fats can raise your cholesterol level and increase your chance of getting heart disease. Limit fried foods, fast food, and foods with trans fats and saturated fats.

• Sugar and sugary drinks – It's important to limit or avoid added sugar, sweets, soda, and sports drinks. This can help improve your overall health and manage your weight.

• "Refined" grains – These are found in foods like white bread, white rice, pastas, and most packaged "snack" foods.

• Alcohol – Not drinking alcohol is the healthiest choice. Regular drinking can raise your chances of getting liver disease and certain types of cancer. If you do drink, most doctors recommend limiting alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day for males.

What else should I know?

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you want to make big changes to your diet. This is especially important if you are trying to manage a health condition. Changing your diet might have benefits, but it should not replace other medical care your doctor recommends. It might also help to work with a dietitian (food and nutrition expert).

Talk to your doctor, nurse, or dietitian before eating large amounts of a specific food or trying any new vitamins or supplements.